Remembering Firdaus

"We are honored to live in a building named after an exceptional officer who personified the highest traditions of the service,” reads a plaque in a building dedicated to the memory of Shaurya Chakra awardee Lt Cdr Firdaus Mogal. The building, inaugurated on October 10, 2018, is one of five in a housing complex for naval officers in Goa, all named after navy officers who had perished in the course of duty. Firdaus’ wife Kerzin could not attend the event as she was said to be travelling. The event was brought to Parsiana’s attention by Firdaus’ uncle Dr Hoshang Mogal of Mahuva, with Cmde Aspi Marker (retd) providing the pictures.
Thirty-six-year-old Firdaus had died amidst choppy seas, after saving the lives of his team members who were at risk of drowning while repairing their submarine INS Shankush (see "Submariner’s supreme sacrifice,” In Memoriam, Parsiana, September 21, 2010).

Ten-year-old Yashaan Mogal "cut a ribbon and inaugurated a flat” in the building named after "Firdaus Daddy,” he told Parsiana three days after the event. Accompanied by maternal grandmother Shiraz Sarbhanwala, the lad said that "it felt real good,” to see the building.